In recent times, cast iron is becoming much more predominant as the staple cookware material of choice in newer kitchens. And rightly so! Their wide range of functionality means you only need a small number of tools in your kitchen, and less really is more!
An easily forgotten factor when purchasing cookware is how compatible it is with your surfaces. Not to mention your appliances. The last thing you’d think of is whether or not your new tool would affect the glass surface of your stovetop!
Table of Contents
- Why are glass cooktops so desirable?
- Why should I use cast iron pots?
- Types of cast iron cookware
- Glass and ceramic stovetops
- Cooking tips for using cast iron on a glass stovetop
- FAQs
- Step-by-step: How to properly clean your cast iron cookware
- Iron on Glass – Be Careful!
Why are glass cooktops so desirable?
Glass surface stoves are pretty superior when it comes to cleaning. The smooth surface is really easy to wipe clean, and there are no small spaces like, i.e. between coils where food can get stuck. This makes them very hygienic too.
The close proximity of the glass to the heating coil underneath, paired with the smooth surface allows the heat to be distributed evenly across the ring. This prevents one side of the pan heating faster than the other.
Why should I use cast iron pots?
Cast iron pots have been used in cooking for centuries. They have a very high reputation both in industrial kitchens and family kitchens.
What makes them so versatile?
List of ways cast iron cookware will enhance your cooking
- Durable: Cast iron cookware can last a lifetime, and even become a family heirloom if looked after properly
- Excellent searing capabilities: Cast iron skillets with ridges are great for browning a variety of meats, which really adds to the flavor!
- Non-stick: If you’re purchasing enameled cast iron, it is naturally non-stick.
- Easy to clean: Cast iron is very easy to clean and does not impart any flavors on your food, nor does it or retain any odors either.
- Heat retention: The cast iron takes a while to heat up but once it has, it has amazing heat retention capabilities. The opposite is true if kept in the fridge; it will keep food cooler for longer!
Types of cast iron cookware
There are a few different types of cast iron cookware that are popular, each with a different purpose.
Below I have listed the most common cookware products with an overview of their attributes and purpose.
Seasoned cast iron cookware
When I hear of seasoned cast iron cookware, I picture a big, sturdy cauldron you would see people use over an open fire in the old days.
Fortunately, we have evolved from this and nowadays, cast iron skillets and some dutch ovens are a popular choices to use. Cast iron skillets are fantastic for cooking the perfect steak.
Some come with ridges along the bottom which are great for steak, chicken, hamburgers, and even shrimp.
These ridges help to sear the steak while keeping the food above the grease, resulting in lower fat cooking.
Porcelain-enameled cast iron cookware
The most common enameled cast iron cookware product you’ll be familiar with is a dutch oven. Enameled dutch ovens are the hallmark of great family cooking. Their brightly colored finish can be bought in a wide variety of colors.
Enameled dutch ovens have a wide variety of functions from cooking roasts, simmering on the stovetop, slow-roasting soups, and stews or even baking bread.
If you’re interested in enameled cast iron products, I have more information on the difference between a dutch oven and cocette in another blog post!
Glass and ceramic stovetops
What is the difference between glass and ceramic stovetops?
Although different brands may call them by different names, both glass and ceramic stovetops are made of a ceramic-glass blend of 50-95% crystalline, combines with a glass-ceramic mix.
Essentially, the two names are interchangeable and are just different names that each brand has used for their respective product.
What is the best cookware to use on a glass or ceramic stovetop?
Stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium are probably the best cookware products for the protection of your stovetop.
These pots usually have a smooth surface on their exterior. They also weigh a lot less than cast iron, so dragging these pots across the stovetop poses less of a problem.
Cooking tips for using cast iron on a glass stovetop
Cast iron may not be the best cookware to use on a glass stovetop. But if you follow a few precautions when handling it, you wont cause any damage to the glass!
Following these steps will help look after your cast iron cookware too, and extending its lifetime!
List of tips to follow when cooking with cast iron on a glass stovetop
Ensure cookware is clean before use
One of the easiest ways to prevent scratches on your glass stovetop is by making sure there’s no dirt on the exterior. By this, I mean giving your cast iron a good scrub each time you use it!
will ensure no scratches occur when the heavy cast iron pan is on the glass top.
Follow the easy instructions above to properly clean your cast iron.
Do not slide your cast iron!
This point is absolutely vital in ensuring the glass won’t get scratched from the heavy rough exterior of your cast iron.
If moving your cast iron pan across the glass, it’s better to lift up and replace it firmly in one motion rather than dragging it across the surface. This will avoid any scratches or cracks.
Use a heat diffuser
If you’re wanting to be extra safe, it could be worth investing in a heat diffuser for use with your cast iron.
A heat diffuser is like a middle man – it even distributes the heat across the bottom of the cast iron pan. It will avoid putting the cast iron directly onto the glass stovetop.
Not only is it good for your glass top stove, it can improve your cooking! A heat diffuser is used to evenly distribute the heat throughout the bottom of your cookware.
They prevent the bottom of your pan from burning, which makes it fabulous for cooking up sauces and particularly for slow-cooking!
As a sturdy solution, heat diffusers are a great way to improve your cooking and save your glass stove top, without breaking the bank!
Regularly cleaning your glass stove top
Glass stovetops look really well when they’re first installed. They have a really classy, modern look about them, and they’re easy to clean!
But as you may well know, they’re not the easiest to keep clean. Oil splatters, burned-on food, and other residue are very easily found on the
It is important to clean up these oil splatters or large spillages as soon as possible, because the longer they’re there, the more susceptible your glass stove top is to staining.
Here is a list of tips for keeping your glass hob as clean as the day you first bought it!
Tips to keep your glass hob clean
- Using lots of soap will help break down the oil so it is easier to remove
- A hot sponge with a scouring pad will break up burned-on food
- A metal scraper is an excellent tool for getting rid of the really hard to move residue
- After all the dirt has been removed, give the hob one last clean with a hot cloth to make sure theres no residue.
- The stove knobs should be removable. Take these off and clean around the base to make sure theres no grease stuck under there, of after time it will start to produce an odor!
- Finally, wipe the whole glass stovetop down with a dry tea towel. This will help to remove any streaks, making it a beautiful, shiny surface!
Modernerize your cast iron products
If you are using an older model of cast iron, chances are these were produced for use with either gas or element hobs. These cast irons have a much more uneven exterior compared to newer models, which have a smoother, more sleek exterior.
These newer cast irons have a much more modern look and are built with glass hobs in mind. So, it may be worth considering an upgrade in your cast iron cookware.
This upgrade will really extend the lifetime of your glass hob. It might be worth considering purchasing a cast iron with an enamel coating, which will protect your glass stovetop even further!
FAQs
How do you season cast iron?
– Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes
– Wash your cast iron cookware in warm, soapy water
– Dry with a tea towel
– Spread a thin layer of oil all over the surface of the interior of the cookware
– Place your cookware into the conventional oven, leaving for roughly 1 hour
– Remove pot to cool before storing
For the best oil to season cast iron, check out our blog!
How do you properly clean a cast iron skillet?
This is an essential step in preserving both your cast iron pan and your glass stovetop. its important you follow the steps below after every single use.
For the best results, It is also worth carrying out before use, as this with prevent any residue left on the exterior of the cast iron pot from scratching your worktop.
Why do cast iron skillets have ridges along the bottom?
The ridges along the bottom of a cast iron skillet are excellent for browning your food.
This is fantastic for cooking steaks, chicken, aubergine, or even bell peppers. It also helps to raise your food out of the oil and helps to lower the fat in your cooking!
Step-by-step: How to properly clean your cast iron cookware
- Immediately after cooking, wipe the pan down with a paper towel. this will soak up excess oil and dirt, while removing larger food particles.
- Soak the pan in hot, soapy water. Use a sponge to remove any harder to remove dirt, making sure you wash the exterior of the pot also.
- Dry the pan immediately, using paper towels or a dry tea towel. This will prevent your pan from rusting. To ensure all moisture has evaporated, put the pan over a low heat for a few minutes.
Iron on Glass – Be Careful!
All things considered, you can use your cast iron pans on a glass-top stove. That being said, it doesn’t come without a warning!
It is best to handle your cast iron using the precautions I have mentioned to ensure the longevity of your glass top stove and prevent any scratches.
These guidelines will also help to preserve your cast iron, making it a lifelong utensil and perhaps even a family heirloom.
Follow the list of tips I’ve previously mentioned and you are sure to keep your perfect glass top stove to the same standard as when you first bought it!
More on the blog:
